FAQ

How soon after an accident should I contact a lawyer?

If you were involved in an accident where you sustained an injury, you should contact a lawyer at your earliest opportunity. The law limits your time to act and in some cases limitation periods can be as short as 10 days. The lawyers at Barapp Law Firm offer home and hospital visits and can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I don’t have money for a lawyer and I cannot work because of my accident, can you help me?

Yes we can, the lawyers at Barapp Law Firm work on a contingency basis, which means you don’t have to pay anything until we win your case and you receive your settlement. Furthermore, you may be eligible to receive certain benefits from your insurance company that can alleviate some of the financial stress caused by your accident.

What type of financial compensation may I be entitled to?

Aside from the no-fault accident benefits, you may be entitled to make a Tort claim and sue for damages based on, but not limited to: Pain and Suffering, Loss of Enjoyment of Life & Companionship, Lost Wages & Earning Capacity, Medical & Rehabilitation Expenses, Future Care Costs, Out-of-pocket Expenses.

What if the driver that hit me did not have insurance or fled the scene of the accident?

If you were involved in a hit-and-run or an accident with an uninsured driver, Barapp Law Firm can help. In situations involving uninsured drivers, hit-and-runs, and stolen vehicles, a claim can be made with the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund. In the province of Ontario, this fund is considered to be a “payer of last resort” in above- mentioned situations. You are still entitled to receive compensation and should speak with a personal injury lawyer at your earliest opportunity.

What if I was injured while riding my bicycle or as a pedestrian?

Pedestrians and cyclists are entitled to obtain compensation from two sources. One is the no-fault accident benefits and the second is the tort-claim where you are entitled to sue the at-fault driver and their insurance company for compensation.

What steps should I take after getting injured and throughout the course of my claim?

Get medical attention for yourself and others involved in the accident.

Take down the contact and insurance information of all parties involved as well as any witnesses and emergency personnel.

Take detailed notes while the event is fresh in your memory.

Take photographs of the damage to the vehicles and property; in the event of a slip and fall photograph the area as well as the footwear you were wearing at the time of the slip and fall; save your footwear.

Save and keep all of the receipts for any and all expenses you incurred as a result of the accident.

Keep a journal of all your appointments with medical practitioners and insurance representatives; write down the names of the people you meet and their credentials.

I can deal with the insurance company myself, why do I need a personal injury lawyer?

Technically, you do not have to hire a lawyer when dealing with the insurance company. However, dealing with your claim on your own can quickly become overwhelming. Personal injury claims are inherently complex and involve voluminous paperwork including but not limited to, claim forms, medical documents, and statements that have to be prepared and submitted within strict time limits. Having to manage your injuries and trying to get your life back on track, while dealing with insurance representatives can become emotionally and financially stressful. An experienced lawyer will protect your rights and interests while you focus on getting better, contact us for a free consultation.

Will my case go to trial?

The majority of personal injury cases are usually resolved at the mediation stage however, the injury lawyers at Barapp Law Firm are prepared to take the claim as far as needed in order to obtain the compensation that you deserve. Our lawyers have represented injury victims at various levels of courts and tribunals in Ontario.

What is mediation?

Mediation is an out of court meeting that is scheduled in order to attempt to reach a settlement in a case. Your lawyer will attend this meeting with you. The lawyer for the defendant will attend this meeting as well with a representative of the defendant’s insurance company. The defendant does not have to attend this meeting. Mediations typically take most of the day, and will begin by having your lawyer present of your case. The lawyer for the defence will respond to that presentation and at the end the parties will “caucus” which means that everyone will go into separate rooms. An independent mediator will start the negotiation process and offers will be exchanged. Throughout the whole process your lawyer will be by your side and will advise you on offers and counter-offers. The lawyers at Barapp Law Firm have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients and have the experience and expertise required in order obtain the best possible results during these negotiations.

What is a pre-trial conference?

A pre-trial conference is a meeting between a judge and the lawyers involved in your case. At this meeting, the judge will give their opinion on the case itself and the on each side’s perspective. You will have to attend this meeting however you will not have to meet with the judge. The judge’s decision is no final and is only mean to assist both sides in reaching a settlement. Furthermore, the judge presiding over the pre-trial conference will not be the judge that will decide the case as per the court rules.